And I think I'm in love! Why did no one tell me how wonderful they are?! I've been doing free weights, but was getting bored....the kettle bell is so much more fun!!
And definitely worked up a better sweat.

Nope, they are not unliftable. They come in a variety of weights. I have a set that starts at 8kg/18lbs and go in 4lb increments. Plus, a lot of the moves are based on the mechanics of the swing, so you have the momentum of the bell, plus the thrust of your hips, that aid in the lifting (and creates the whole body workout, because you're using every muscle).

Here's an example of the swing: Kettlebell Swing - YouTube
This instructor does a great job of teaching the foundations. Check out her other videos if you're interested in more moves, like the snatch (I kid you not).

I'm a huge KB fan, if you can't tell. Training for a competition in November.

The one I got to start out with is an 8 lb weight. I found it was a little shaky if I was lifting it straight up, but even that just took a little getting used to. Most of the moves seemed very swingy to me which was easy. In fact I think I need a heavier one.

Yes, definitely get a heavier one for swings. You can use the lighter one for one-hand and overhead work, but a heavier bell for swings and two-hand work will be much better for you. It's actually easier to swing with a heavier bell--more momentum and the weight corrects your form.

Yes, definitely get a heavier one for swings. You can use the lighter one for one-hand and overhead work, but a heavier bell for swings and two-hand work will be much better for you. It's actually easier to swing with a heavier bell--more momentum and the weight corrects your form.

Originally Posted by solidgold

Oooh, got a heavier one today. Can't wait to try it out again tomorrow.

I'm so excited for you! I get such a sense of accomplishment when I move on to the next bell.

The competition bells used to come in 8lb increments, which is a lot! I struggled for a long time trying to move from the 18lb bell to the 26. Then they started making bells in 4lb increments, and going from 18 to 22 to 26 was a lot faster and easier. I'm ordering a 30 and a 35 so I can keep going!

I'm not familiar with kettle bells. What do you do with them, and do they really whip you into shape? just wondering...

The smallest deed is greater than the grandest intention.

I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. (Invictus - William Ernest Henley)

Just think I used to worry 'bout things like that,
Used to worry 'bout rich and skinny, 'til I wound up poor and fat,
Nowadays I kind of worry where my mind's been at,
Just think I used to worry 'bout things like that. (Delbert McClinton - I Used to Worry from Never Been Rocked Enough)

30 and 35! Holy moly you must be built like crazy! I'm too much of a weenie at this point....I'll have to stick to the kiddy sizes for a while. hah!!!
I'd be uber excited if I could do 30-35!

Originally Posted by SpaghettiHead

Ha! You should see my coach! She's ripped. She's also tiny--she's a very petite woman, probably 5'2" and maybe 120 lbs, but it's all muscle. She uses the 44 or 53lb bell. Amazing! I started with the 18lb bell and have been working with the 26 for a while. I swear it gets very easy very quick.

Kettlebells are iron balls that you use like weights, meaning you can perform many of the same techniques, like cleans, presses, deadlifts, and you can also swing, snatch, and long cycle because of its shape. Because it is a bell shape (as opposed to a dumbbell), it is better aligned with your body structure, and to perform moves you use your entire body.

I was into kb's a few months ago and loved them! Don't really remember why I quit using them the last couple of months...maybe bc Jillian M. came out with a new DVD that I had to try I need to get a heavier one for sure-right now the heaviest I have is a 15 lb. My forearms were so bruised when I first started from doing cleans until I perfected my form.
SpaghettiHead-do u use a DVD? I bought a dvd from Lauren Brooks and she is awesome! She's had 2 kids and used kb's to get back in shape after both her babies. You should check her out on youtube if you haven't already. What size kb did you recently buy?
SG-training for a competion, congrats!! So what kind of results have you seen from kb's?
well, I think y'all have inspired me to ge out the Lauren Brooks dvd today and revisit my kb's

[QUOTE=solidgold;1751129Here's a better video of an everyday, beginner/intermediate workout (if you want a DVD to work out at home, I recommend her videos!):
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnub7Z13nlY&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL]The Ultimate Body Sculpt and Conditioning with Kettlebells - - YouTube[/url]

SG just looked at your link and its for Lauren Brooks and the dvd i have! She rocks

I just used the video that came with the bell....(I bought cheapies at Wal Mart because I wasn't sure I'd like them)

They are pretty basic vids, so I need to get some more. I also only went up 2 lbs...I'm afraid to get too much at first. But 10 lbs was still pretty light.

I saw at Target this weekend that Jillian Michaels has an adjustable bell that you can take up and add or subtract weight from. It was something like $69.00 which is cheap when you think about buying all of the different weights one at a time.

yeah, Jillian uses her kb on her Shred it with Weights dvd. I looked into it when I was buying my 1st one, but it doesn't get very good reviews from what I found.
I did my Lauren Brooks dvd Saturday and yesterday I was so sore I could barely move! I was shocked bc I workout 4-5 days a wk with my JM dvd's, with weights, and they are pretty tough workouts and just about every muscle was sore from using my 15 lb kb! I'm still sore today but it's bearable...